[tigergto]

During hurricane Ian my shed was destroyed and my hand tools were exposed to the weather. Most of them have a good amount of surface rust. What is a good solution ( preferably non toxic) that I can soak them in to remove the rust. Thanks in advance.

[JSchmitz]

Evaporust works great and non-toxic.

[Stuart]

Originally Posted by JSchmitz

Evaporust works great and non-toxic.

It's what I use as well. Depending on the tool and how rusty it is, spending a little time at a bench grinder equipped with a wire wheel may be adequate too. The advantage of Evaporust is it takes little effort (you just throw the tools in for a few hours or maybe overnight, then rinse them off) and it won't harm the base metal or plating.

[JSchmitz]

Originally Posted by Stuart

It's what I use as well. Depending on the tool and how rusty it is, spending a little time at a bench grinder equipped with a wire wheel may be adequate too. The advantage of Evaporust is it takes little effort (you just throw the tools in for a few hours or maybe overnight, then rinse them off) and it won't harm the base metal or plating.

Yep. I've cleaned a lot of very rusty things in it. I've been amazed by the results.

[tigergto]

Thanks everyone. I was originally thinking bench grinder and wire wheel, but my shed hasn’t been rebuilt so no bench grinder. I also wanted something simpler that wouldn’t take so much effort. Where do I find Evaporust?

[Stuart]

Many hardware stores sell it. I bought it last time at my local Harbor Freight store.
They have a store locator feature on their website: https://www.evapo-rust.com/where-to-...-rust-remover/

[Redpiston]

I use a fountain pump to circulate the Evaporust in the container to speed up the process. Really helps with larger parts.

[Goatracer1]

If it is light rust then plain old vinegar will remove it. And it's cheap.

[Stuart]

Vinegar is an acid, so you have to be careful if you go that way - the tool needs to be rinsed with a baking soda solution to neutralize the acid after soaking, and if it's left in too long it will begin to eat away at the base metal.

[Goatracer1]

Vinegar isn't that strong. I've left parts in it for days.

[gpguy]

FWIW I found a 1/2" drive ratchet buried in the ground near my house foundation, must have been there for many years. A friend said throw it in a can of diesel fuel, so I tried it. A couple days later I took it out, rinsed it off and it removed the rust and I was able to operate the tool after some further rinsing and working it.

[Pav8427]

Molasses works well too.
5 parts water to 1 part molasses.
TSC or the like should have it in the feed section.

[Greg Reid]

The good thing about Evaporust is that you can just pour it back into the container when you finish. It can be used over and over again.

[unruhjonny]

there is also a (?)knock-off evaporust out there;
These chemicals are astounding.

But they do wear out;
I have observed that the way to get the best use out of a container, is to only pour out and use the minimum amount;
Then do not pour used stuff in with the fresh stuff.
These solutions tend to go black when exhausted.

[Greg Reid]

Yes, it wears out eventually.
I found a guy on YouTube that had a good idea and I've used it for larger items. Put the item in a good, heavy garbage bag. Pour a little Evaporust in the bag. Make sure there are no leaks. Place the bag into a 5 gallon bucket and fill the bucket with water. The water will compress the bag and force the Evaporust to encapsulate the item in the solution. By doing that you can submerge the item with a fraction of what it would take to submerge it in a bucket.

[TAKerry]

I love evaporust, but it is expensive. Reusing is a great idea. I always pour it back into the container. The solids will settle to the bottom just be careful when you repour it. Rustoleum brand sells a similar product. I think they both work about the same. Depends on what tools youre talking about. If its a ratchet or something with gears def soak it. If not just using them may knock off the surface rust.